Owner of a local cosmetic line also a stellar visual artist

Jun. 12, 2013

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| By Anna Houser

Bess Turner’s creative endeavors range from owning her own cosmetic line, Bess Cosmetics, to teaching fourth graders. But she also feels completely in her element when she’s in front of a canvas. And by “canvas” she’s not referring to any specific style or medium—because she loves them all.

“I’ve always had the desire to create,” says Turner. “I don’t remember when it started because I’ve always had it.” In college, she says, “I tried classes in graphic design, interior design, but nothing fit. I didn’t want to limit myself.” Ultimately, she majored in education and graduated from MTSU in 2001.

After 10 years teaching third and fourth graders here in Murfreesboro, Turner began to notice that creativity was slowly being banished from the classroom. “We’re preparing kids for jobs that haven’t even been created yet. With medication on the rise and the emphasis on the arts on the decline, we are teaching children to place value on a couple of areas for the sole purpose of test scores instead of finding out what the individual child has a true passion for,” she says.

“If you ask a class of kindergarteners how many of them can draw, they all raise their hands. If you fast forward to a class of sixth graders, only a few will. People don’t realize that it’s essential to encourage creativity in children, and you don’t have to be labeled an artist to express your own personal vision,” says Turner.

Last year, the Murfreesboro native, wife, and mom of two young sons took a year-long sabbatical from her job as an elementary school educator to spend more time with her family as well as her art—and it now shows in the beautiful pieces that she creates.

“When pursuing something worthwhile, there are going to be struggles. I’m just not going to let those struggles stop me,” she says. “I took a step out from my box. There is inherent vulnerability with being an artist,” she adds. “Not everyone is going to love what I do, but what I do know is that I’ve found something I never want to stop doing. It’s not a job. When you have found your passion and are in your element, you never want to retire from that. “

Turner’s impressionistic style is showcased in her unique mixed media paintings, featuring animals, landscapes, and even portraits. Her inspiration is found in every day life and the people and places around her. In addition to the pieces Turner creates and sells, she also works directly with clients and designers to create custom works of art based on the desires of the client.

“I love having my work bring a smile to someone’s face,” says Turner. “That’s what it’s all about.”

To find out more about Bess Turner or to commission a piece, go to BessTurnerArt.com, email BessTurner@gmail.com, or call (615) 364-0798.